Majesco

CHICAGO – Reviewing games based on kids movies that are as clearly aimed at children as are the DS and Nintendo Wii tie-ins for “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” can be a tough assignment. What approach is appropriate? I generally think that I can only be honest about my personal experience with a game, but what if that game isn’t designed with my demographic in mind? Personally, I struggled with getting enjoyment out of either console version but I think some of my eight and nine-year-old relatives would love both.

CHICAGO – Majesco’s odd Nintendo DS version of “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” is a movie tie-in that uses the term more loosely than any in a very long time. Guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller in the movie), Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams), and Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria) all make appearances, but what the rest of this title has to do with the movie is beyond me.

CHICAGO – Majesco’s Nintendo DS game “Gardening Mama” is a pleasant series of mini-games targeted at younger audiences and fans of the original “Cooking Mama” release. There’s nothing revolutionary or overly remarkable about the title but not all mini-game collections are created equal and “GM” stands slightly above the average. You could do a lot worse than a trip to this garden.

CHICAGO – Majesco’s “Wonder World Amusement Park” for the Nintendo DS is a pleasurable diversion but could just as easily be deemed by some buyers to be a wasted opportunity to be something more. Ultimately, for a low purchase price and a game targeted at kids, it’s hard to complain too much about a title that will likely satisfy its target audience.